WBA remove David Haye-Nikolai Valuev stumbling block

Promoters Sauerland were quick to point out the latest World Boxing
Association ratings yesterday which confirm Russian Nikolai Valuev as the
undisputed WBA heavyweight Champion.

By Gareth A Davies

6:55PM BST 27 Jul 2009

The 'Russian Giant' is listed as the sole heavyweight champion, with Ruslan Chagaev having been moved to the No 1 position in the rankings.

Chagaev is no longer considered "champion in recess".

It should mean that there is no stumbling block between David Haye and his contest for the WBA heavyweight title against the 7ft tall, 23st Valuev.

"We welcome the WBA's decision," said Chris Meyer, general manager of Team Sauerland. "It confirms what we have been saying for a long time – that Nikolai Valuev is the undisputed WBA Heavyweight Champion."

Chagaev had twice pulled out of fights with Valuev in May and July 2008. The third attempt – a fight in Helsinki – fell through in May 2009 when Chagaev was unable to fulfil the Finnish boxing federation´s medical requirements.

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"Since the new ratings clearly state who the true champion is, we can now submit the applications for official approval of Niko´s next fight – the voluntary defence against David Haye," Meyer added. Valuev is scheduled to fight Haye is scheduled on Nov 7.

Meanwhile, Sheffield's Kell Brook will defend his British welterweight title against former champion Michael Jennings later this year. Brook, 23, claimed the title last June by beating Welshman Barrie Jones and has defended it three times.

Former British champion Jennings, 31, was stopped in five rounds when he challenged Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title at Madison Square Garden, New York, in February. Brook said he took the fight because he has "unfinished business at home".

The unbeaten Sheffield fighter, who has 13 KOS from his 20 fights, said he could have moved on to European or even world level but wants to beat Jennings "to be number one".